duality

Quote: “Man is not truly one, but truly two.”

1. Psychological perspective

• Suggests humans have a split psyche → rational vs irrational sides.

• Jekyll anticipates ideas similar to later psychological theories (like the divided self).

• Duality is presented as natural, not abnormal.

2. Social / Victorian context

• Reflects the Victorian gentleman, who must appear respectable while hiding desires.

• Society forces people into public vs private identities.

3. Moral / philosophical perspective

• Challenges the idea that humans are purely good or evil.

• Stevenson suggests morality is complex and unstable, not fixed.

Quote: “I concealed my pleasures.”

1. Psychological

• Repression of desires → they don’t disappear, they intensify.

• Jekyll’s secrecy contributes to the creation of Hyde.

2. Social / contextual

• Highlights pressure to maintain reputation in Victorian society.

• People hide anything that threatens their social status.

3. Moral

• Raises question: is hiding sin worse than committing it?

• Suggests hypocrisy is a key moral failure.

Quote: “My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”

1. Psychological

• “Caged” = repression; “roaring” = uncontrollable release

• Suggests suppressing urges makes them more dangerous.

2. Social / contextual

• Victorian society “cages” natural desires → leads to explosive consequences.

• Critique of strict moral codes.

3. Moral / religious

• “Devil” links to sin → evil is part of human nature.

• Suggests denying sin doesn’t remove it, only distorts it.

4. “My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.”

Psychological:

• Repressed desires become uncontrollable.

• Violence is a result of suppression.

Contextual:

• Victorian restraint = unnatural “caging” of instincts.

• Society contributes to Hyde’s creation.

Moral/Religious:

• “Devil” suggests sin is internal.

• Humans cannot escape their sinful nature.

5. “The moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr Hyde.”

Psychological:

• Illusion of control → self-deception.

• Jekyll underestimates his darker side.

Contextual:

• Reflects belief in self-discipline in Victorian society.

• Suggests this belief is flawed.

Philosophical:

• Raises question of free will vs fate.

• Ultimately shows humans are not fully in control of themselves.